gonefishin

I reckon you can buy into whatever you want. You are the one who tried to turn this into a political argument, into a dem vs rep argument. I am not anti MDC but, I do want to know what they are doing. When they started living off the tax role they become a public trust and are therefore open to scrutiny. So far instead of answers all I have been able to get is smoke screens or people wanting to make it a political argument. I just don't see what is happening with the money. They make everything to do with fishing and hunting stand on its two feet. License fees have to cover all the costs and be profitable. What is the 1/8% used for? Everyone says land purchases. Ok it is for land purchases. They have been taking in an excess of 100 Mil per year with the 1/8% sales tax so where is all the land they have purchased and where are all the access points. It seems to me that with the kind of money they are taking in they should own half the state by now, or at least every MDC conservation area should have improvements like food plots for the wildlife, clean toilets and drinking water available. Point is I am not against MDC but that doesn't mean I can't find fault with the system. The most current report is 4 years old don't you find that as taking just a tad to much time to publish their statement?

Dano Sure lets talk about shufflin.

No. I am saying there hasn't been 100 million dollars worth added every year. Where is the money going? Hunting, fishing, research on animals and fish and the maintenance and upkeep of these items are all funded by license sales. These items cost only 14% of their total annual income so where does the rest of the money go? Yes, there have been some new additions of land but have they been added to the tune of more than 100 million dollars per year? Also how much of that land has been donated? I have seen a few reports of donated land in MDC magazine. Seems that at least one of the tracts of land donated was quiet large. I don't think it would hurt the MDC a bit to spend a few bucks and put in a little bit of access for the handicapped and elderly. A few fishing docks and a few areas they can access to watch birds and such. They don't need to do a lot but a little bit I am sure would be appreciated. Currently the only handicapped program I know of the MDC has is a special hunt for wheel chair bound hunters. I don't want to argue politics. but, perhaps I didn't use the best choice of wording in that statement. I meant it is a widely held belief that most democrats want a total ban on firearms. I am sure I could look up a lot of info but, I don't really want to take the time to do so, I do know there were attempts to ban so called assault rifles and hand guns. There was an attempt to try to change the meaning of the second amendment to mean a supported government military is the only organization that is constitutionally allowed to own firearms. And there was an attempt to name all firearms designed for military use as illegal which, of course outlaws all firearms. It is generally believed that the democratic party supported these attempts. That is why I said if the MDC made donations to the rep party this is probably why. Brady Bill? You mean the one fought for by over a decade by Sarah Brady signed into law in 1993 by Bill Clinton. I don't get your point. I didn't say lumber industry I said forest industry. I think it was AL mentioned that the MDC had to keep several constituents happy one of these being the forest and timber industry.

Nope. I didn't forget that post. It posted to show how the government process of grabbing money works. Personally I could care less, Dem or Rep. I am, and always have been a swing voter. I vote for the best person and could care less about their political affiliation.

True, but a lot, if not most, of them were already here before the tax went in. Where are all the new ones? Also, from what I can find out those areas were purchases and are totally supported by license sales and the special tax on fishing and hunting supplies, not the conservation sales tax. I certainly don't want the conservation areas manicured. I mentioned that earlier. In most cases I don't think there is any reason to put down paved trails. Along with the 'lazy' people, it also keeps out the handicapped and elderly. I don't have any idea what the cost of research is, do you? I do know, from reading their report that the research for animals and fish are all funded by license sales, from what I read not one penny of the conservation tax is used to fund research of fish or animals. I don't think a persons personal preference in politics has a real constructive part in this discussion but since you mentioned it I will say I am sure they make donations to the republican party and I am sure they make just as big of donations to the democratic party. That is part of my point. The money people put in that public trust is meant to be used for conservation not donations to support political parties. However, if the MDC were to support a political party over the other I am sure it would be the republican party because it is well known that most democrats would like to put a total ban on firearms which would put a big dent in hunting and shooting sports which in turn would cost MDC a small fortune in license sales. To them I am sure it would be a matter of self preservation. It was mentioned that the MDC spends a lot of money supporting the forestry industry in MO. I am trying to say, why does an industry with an economic impact of 4.4 billion dollars and earnings of more than 1 billion per year need to be financially supported by the MDC?

One thing for sure the three days it is closed, are going to be ..uhhh..interesting.

Here is a site everyone should look at. Take back the MDC

Al: All I am doing is questioning where and how the money is spent. I don't understand why they don't have a little more money to spend on fishing and hunting, after all a certain portion of the bucks generated by the 1/8th cent are paid by that same ol' constituency. Apparently fishing, hunting has to stand on their own with license sales and be profitable because they aren't allowed to share in any the 1/8th cent sale tax. I know there are some new access points, some improvements and some added land but are they adding 100 million dollars worth per year? Here is an interesting read for you. Why does an industry that generates 4.4 billion a year need help from the 1/8th cent tax MDC gets? I underlined a paragraph you might find particularly interesting. Tuesday, May 29, 2007 Missouri: Forestry and Wood Products In Missouri, there are about 14 million acres that are forested; and most of the forests in Missouri are privately owned, at about 85 percent of the acres. The wood-using and forest products industry in Missouri has an economic impact of about $4.4 billion each year and supports 32,250 jobs with earnings of $1.1 billion. Each year, the forestry and wood-using industries in Missouri generate $54 million in state sales tax. More than 1 million acres of forests have been added to Missouri's landscape in the last 30 years. Forests in Missouri are increasing faster than they are being harvested. Forests are important to Missourians who enjoy outdoor recreation such as camping, sightseeing, watching birds, canoeing, photographing nature, hunting, or fishing. Forests in Missouri are essential for healthy streams, clean water, wildlife habitat, and environmental stability. At the Missouri Department of Conservation forest nursery, each year, more than 5 million seedlings of more than 50 species are grown and distributed throughout the state. The seedlings are planted on both public and private land. In the recent fiscal year, more than $270,000 of cost-share assistance was provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation to more than 40 Missouri communities for tree planting and maintenance of urban forest resources. Missouri Department of Conservation staff work with over 800 fire departments to offer training, to provide federal excess equipment, to provide grants for the purchase of fire equipment, and to assist in wildfire prevention activities. The amount of sales tax generated from the forest products industry and fish and wildlife recreation is well over the amount of sales tax received by the Missouri Department of Conservation from the Conservation Sales Tax; in other words, conservation pays its way in Missouri. A fact sheet on Missouri forestry and wood products is on page 15 of the 2005-2006 Annual Report of the Missouri Department of Conservation available at: http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/13141.pdf There is additional information on the accomplishments related to forestry on pages 17-35 and 47. Posted by David H. Thorne at 10:06 PM Labels: annual report, benefits, conservation, economic, forest, impacts, missouri, missouri department of conservation, public, success, wood products

Looks like you got a good fishing partner to me.

Contaminated fish show Canada lagging U.S. in Great Lakes cleanup: report July 5, 2007 - 11:42 am By: MICHAEL OLIVEIRA TORONTO (CP) - Canada is lagging behind the United States in efforts to clean up the Great Lakes and the proof is in growing numbers of contaminated fish that are unsafe for consumption, conservation group Environmental Defence said Thursday. By following trends in the Ontario government's annual Guide to Eating Sport Fish, the group compiled a report that found consumption advisories are generally getting worse, with relatively few exceptions. The report focused on 13 locations across the Great Lakes and four species of fish within each region. Lakes Huron and Ontario fared the worst, with a growing number of cases where eating even one fish a month would be hazardous. The report is not meant to discourage people from eating fish, said policy director Aaron Freeman, but should be a wake-up call to the public about the possible dangers of eating what they catch from the Great Lakes. It should also shame the federal government into action, he added. "It is interesting to note that George Bush's America is stepping up to the plate far greater than Canada. We are falling behind," Freeman said. "For the first time, we are dealing with a situation where the United States is taking unilateral action to manage the Great Lakes without Canada, because we haven't shown any leadership." In the United States, there are bills working their way through Congress that would commit US$20 billion to cleanup efforts but the Canadian government has offered virtually nothing for the Great Lakes, Freeman said. In addition to more types of fish being deemed unsafe, the report notes that smaller fish are also being affected by growing levels of contamination. The public needs to know more about what they are eating and more in-depth information should be added in subsequent editions of the annual fish guide, the report recommends. The government only lists which fish are dangerous to eat but doesn't adequately reveal why, Freeman said, adding that there should be specific data available on actual levels of contaminants in fish, as well as historical levels of contamination.

Like I said I am sorry if I misunderstood the original post. I thought it was a slap at anyone who ever fishes with a worm. I did not see anything about short fish in the original posts. "LA Police department"?? Maybe a career change should be considered. LOL

I have been looking over their budget a bit. They brought in 30 Million in permit sales They spent 21.5 Million on fish and wildlife Now I understand why they had to cut trout limits. If they hadn't they would have had to get into the special sales tax money to pay for the upgrades. Cant have that.

So are you saying they have a short sex life? If so why are there getting to be so many of them? You are right about the Texas thing.

Nice mess of fish and they are gonna make some great eating. Wish I had caught them.

I used to think the same thing but it doesn't make sense. The MDC allots 6% of their total budget to fish. Of that 6%, trout get the largest slice. Of the remaining percentage they fund studies and special programs for less known fish such as the Topeka darter, Hellbender, Sturgeon and such. It seems to me that doesn't leave very much for warm water fish. Of the warm water fish Bass get the largest portion. There has to be a reason and that reason has to do with dollar signs.

I am starting to think Armadillos are from Krypton. They seem to have supernatural powers. Just how deep of a hole can an Armadillo dig? How high can they jump and how fast can they run? How do they dodge .22 bullets or do the bullets just bounce off their armor plating?

You are right on target brownieman. It is a big bunch of money and some of us ware wondering where it goes and why. did you ever notice how a person hears a lot about the town meetings after the meeting but, very little beforehand, like, when and where?

Thats the Truman tailrace alright. One time its great another leaves you wondering what hit you. Keeps it interesting.

Welcome to the site. Lots of good convo's here, feel free to jump in anytime.

damselfly: I agree, we have it pretty good here in MO. I voted for the sales tax and would do so again. I would be inclined to vote for it if they asked for a raise. I am not against MDC, I just want to know what is happening with the money. I want to know why they are banking it instead of using it. My concern is exactly the same as yours; "Keep it away from the legislators". The MDC hasn't done all that much for the large amounts money they have taken in and are they are banking money. A nice fat bank account is like waving a red flag in the face of legislators and makes a very tempting target. I have a feeling the legislators have already got their fingers in the till. IMO the best way to protect the MDC and keep the money away from the legislators is for MDC to be open about what they are doing and make the information easy to access. JMO I have never been to a forum. I would like to attend but have never been invited. They are always over before I hear anything about them.

Great slide show. I feel for the people in Miami. I lived in Fort Scott when we had the 52 foot flood.

I always ask the land owner before fishing on his property. I don't think, tho that a person should have to ask for permission to wade or fish from a small boat on any stream as long as the person stays within the confines of the stream bed. It just bothers me to think of anyone owning the free flowing water.

At the rate it is going it wont be long before the standard bass boat is 30 ft. What happened to the days when a 16 ft john or V-bottom boat was considered a good sized bass boat?

Nice Fish.

They aren't bad. If you want to fry them then, scale them, fillet them, score them, roll in cornmeal and fry in very hot oil. They are best, IOP, pressure cooked. Then use them to make fish patties' or fish loaf' or fish and noodles, or fish chowder...ect